Comparison Between AS2 and HTTPS

AS2 (Applicability Statement 2): AS2 is a secure communication protocol used to exchange EDI and other business data over the internet. It ensures data integrity, confidentiality, and non-repudiation using encryption, digital signatures, and MDNs (Message Disposition Notifications). AS2 is widely adopted in industries requiring reliable and secure data exchange, such as retail and healthcare.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure): HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, using SSL/TLS encryption to protect data during transmission. It ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and server authentication, operating on port 443. It is widely used for secure transactions like online banking and e-commerce.

Comparison: AS2 vs HTTPS

Feature	AS2	HTTPS
Purpose	Built specifically for secure EDI transactions and B2B communications.	Used for general secure web communications, including APIs and some EDI data transfers.
Data Exchange	Provides end-to-end encryption, digital signatures, and compression for EDI documents.	Ensures secure data transmission but lacks built-in EDI-specific features like signatures or compression.
Acknowledgments	Supports MDN (Message Disposition Notification) for delivery confirmation and non-repudiation.	Does not natively support acknowledgments; additional mechanisms are needed for delivery confirmation.
Integration with EDI	Tailored for EDI standards like X12, EDIFACT, and VDA, supporting compliance with trading partner requirements.	Can be used for transmitting EDI documents but without the EDI-specific enhancements of AS2.
Compliance	Widely used in industries requiring strict standards (e.g., retail, healthcare).	Less commonly used for EDI, more for general web-based or API-driven data exchanges.
Protocol	Operates on top of HTTP/S but adds EDI-focused functionalities like signing, encryption, and MDNs.	Uses SSL/TLS for encryption but lacks EDI-specific extensions like AS2’s non-repudiation features.
Use Cases	Preferred for high-security B2B EDI transactions (e.g., retailer-supplier, healthcare networks).	Suitable for less specialized EDI or API-based integrations.

Summary Note:

• AS2 is purpose-built for EDI with features like MDNs and compliance with trading partner mandates.
• HTTPS is more generic and lacks the specialized capabilities required for seamless EDI integration.